31-07-2023

Bellavista, where utopia becomes wine

In Franciacorta, Francesca Moretti presented the 2016 vintage of the reserve dedicated to her father Vittorio: 'I admire your energy, I just don't know where you get it'. The patriarch: 'Simple: working never weighs me down'. Paired with Himanshu Saini's

Vittorio and Francesca Moretti, on Monday 3rd July in Franciacorta, celebrated the release of the 2016 vintage of the Vittorio Moretti Riserva with an Indian dinner hosted by Himanshu Saini, a 35-year-old Indian chef transplanted to Dubai. Thanks to his Trèsind Studio, he has recently collected two Michelin stars, the second place in the World's 50 Best Middle East and North Africa and the eleventh place in the World's 50 Best Restaurants. He can still grow, but even now he is remarkable, supported by a golden personality, disarming in his blunt sincerity. It was clear every time he cooked at the Identità Golose Milano hub. It was confirmed at Bellavista, where he cooked with a friend living in Italy, to avoid visa problems.

Vittorio Moretti portrayed by Bruno Lafata at the presentation of the latest vintage, 2016, of the Riserva Bellavista named after him

Vittorio Moretti portrayed by Bruno Lafata at the presentation of the latest vintage, 2016, of the Riserva Bellavista named after him

In Franciacorta, there were about a hundred people to serve, not just three or four tables. The choice of cook caused lots of joy. It wasn’t just one option among many, but a surprising one. As Francesca Moretti commented: 'Always experiment.’ Very true, also to 'stress' the latest vintage of this Franciacorta reserve. If you play it safe and don't dare, you certainly don't go wrong, but neither do you leave an important mark. And the Morettis know how to fly high, always looking forward to new comparisons, new challenges. An important detail: since this vintage also bears his name, it must reflect the character of Vittorio Moretti, an unstoppable worker.

Francesca Moretti toasts with Filippo Polidori, to her right and, left, with Paolo Marchi and Massimo Tuzzi, CEO of the Terra Moretti group. Photo Lafata Bruno

Francesca Moretti toasts with Filippo Polidori, to her right and, left, with Paolo Marchi and Massimo Tuzzi, CEO of the Terra Moretti group. Photo Lafata Bruno

The patriarch on the lawn in front of his house said: 'We have always had fun and if I have worked so much it is because I like working. It doesn't weigh me down, so much so that I’m convinced that I’m a slacker because I leave all the hard work to my co-workers and think about having fun.’ Of course, it is a paradox because if you love your work you feel it infinitely less. Moretti always said: 'The truth is always one: understand that you can't build anything alone, you must learn to pick good collaborators.'

Himanshu Saini's welcome to the table puts us in a good mood

Himanshu Saini's welcome to the table puts us in a good mood

The latest is called Richard Geoffroy who, since leaving Dom Pérignon, has been moving between the sake he produces personally, and Bellavista bubbles, none of which are yet his own children. Time will come, though of the 2016 Riserva he said that he found nothing out of tune with it, 'no extra baggage'. A clear and complimentary image for a metodo classico that combines elegance with depth and is only produced from exceptional vintages. It’s not available every year.

Himanshu Saini at dinner at the Bellavista winery in Franciacorta. Photo Lafata Bruno

Himanshu Saini at dinner at the Bellavista winery in Franciacorta. Photo Lafata Bruno

Since its debut in 1984, eleven more have followed: 1988, 1991, 1995, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2013 and 2016.

Utopia becomes wine, Francesca Moretti recalled, celebrating her father with sincere and important words: 'You’re Utopia, the dream, the ability to imagine the impossible and make it come true. You’re Home because you’re a great entrepreneur, but for you everything has always revolved around your family: me, my sisters and, above all, Mamma.

Tagliatelle with royal oyster, black XO mushroom and morel shoyu. This was the dish that Indian chef Himanshu Saini paired with Riserva Vittorio Moretti 2016 at the latter's presentation on the 3rd of July at Bellavista. Three very specific mushrooms dominate, beyond their names and preparations to which we in Italy are not yet fully accustomed

Tagliatelle with royal oyster, black XO mushroom and morel shoyu. This was the dish that Indian chef Himanshu Saini paired with Riserva Vittorio Moretti 2016 at the latter's presentation on the 3rd of July at Bellavista. Three very specific mushrooms dominate, beyond their names and preparations to which we in Italy are not yet fully accustomed

‘That's why you wanted to make bubbles: because of your joy of life and because you wanted to toast with friends every moment, because every moment is worth celebrating. As your daughter, I admire your creativity, your energy. I don't really know where you get it from, maybe it's the bubbles that have an energetic effect on you, always moving with your head, heart and body. With you, one feels guilty resting....

"The indomitable spirit, the courage, that ability to boldly go beyond convention. Being emotional and rational, I sometimes struggle to understand, but your pioneering vision has always guided me.

Then, there’s the ingenuity, the determination, the perfection and wonder. All these words describe you and make me think of you. Being close to you is not easy, but every day I try to learn and so we move the horizon of our every together.

"Thank you for founding Bellavista, believing in this beautiful territory, dreaming big and with great generosity of thought. Thank you for raising me surrounded by nature and for always having excellent minds and great professionals at my side, not least Richard Geoffroy". This is how utopia becomes wine.

Translated into English by Slawka G. Scarso


In cantina

Stories of men, women and bottles that enrich the galaxy of wine, in Italy and in the world

Paolo Marchi

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Paolo Marchi

born in Milan in March 1955, at Il Giornale for 31 years dividing himself between sports and food, since 2004 he's the creator and curator of Identità Golose.
blog www.paolomarchi.it
instagram instagram.com/oloapmarchi

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